Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing

HIV Clinical Trial

— CONSORT  

Official title:

Confidential Social Network Referrals for HIV Testing

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Not yet recruiting

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT05967208
• Other study ID #: Pro00120208
• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: May 1, 2025
• Est. completion date: April 1, 2027

Study information

• Verified date: July 2023
• Source: University of South Carolina
• Contact: Jan Ostermann, PhD
• Phone: +1-803-777-8747
• Email: jano[@]mailbox.sc.edu
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

Despite worldwide efforts to promote HIV testing, rates of testing remain low. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acceptability, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of confidential SMS-based social network referrals for HIV testing as a means of reaching high-risk individuals and prompting them to test for HIV. To accomplish this purpose, the study has 5 specific aims:

Aim 1 will conduct qualitative, formative work to identify desirable provider- and client-side characteristics of a confidential SMS-based HIV testing referral system.

Aim 2 will adapt an existing mHealth system (mParis) to add CONSORT functionality.

Aim 3 will pilot-test the CONSORT system to collect preliminary data on the system's acceptability, performance, and potential efficacy.

Aim 4 will evaluate the acceptability and efficacy of CONSORT in a randomized controlled trial.

Aim 5 will evaluate the incremental cost-effectiveness of CONSORT vs. other referral options.

If CONSORT is shown to be acceptable, effective, and cost-effective, such mobile-phone supported, chain-referral methods could greatly improve the cost-effectiveness of HIV testing efforts.

Description:

No additional detail available

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Enrollment: 600
• Est. completion date: April 1, 2027
• Est. primary completion date: October 1, 2026
• Accepts healthy volunteers: No
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years and older

Eligibility

Inclusion criteria:

• at least 18 years old

• live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi, Tanzania

• literate

Exclusion criteria:

• under age 18 years

• does not live, work, or regularly receive care in Moshi, Tanzania

• illiterate

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• HIV

Intervention

Behavioral:
• CONSORT referrals
Participants will be offered SMS-based confidential social network referrals for HIV testing ("CONSORT referrals") to extend to any of their social and sexual network contacts.
• Card referrals
Participants will be offered physical invitation cards ("card referrals") to extend to any of their social and sexual network contacts.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
n/a

Sponsors (3)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
University of South Carolina	Duke University, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre, Tanzania

References & Publications (1)

Ostermann J, Njau B, Masaki M, Mtuy T, Itemba D, Hobbie A, Yelverton V, Moore S, Yamanis T, Thielman NM. Feasibility, Acceptability, and Potential Cost-Effectiveness of a Novel Mobile Phone Intervention to Promote Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing Within Social Networks in Tanzania. Sex Transm Dis. 2022 Nov 1;49(11):778-781. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000001611. Epub 2022 Jan 29. — View Citation

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Uptake of HIV testing	The number of referred clients presenting for HIV testing at participating study sites within 30 days of the testing offer, per 100 index clients.	Within 30 days of the time of the testing offer